The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-11-24
SOME SPECIMEN STORIES.


in the Solid South to yield.
SOME SPECIMEN STORIES.
Mr.. McLane was asked, "Wbat excuse
do the Democrats offer for this wholesale
fraud?" He replied:
"None at all, except that their party
claims that they must and will hold pow
er in spite of law or right. The Bourbon
used to claim that wealth and intelligence
should govern the State; that ignorant
negroes should not hold Office nor rule in
public affairs. The Northern people
seemed satisfied with this excuse, and
were willing to accept this Bourbon plea
as someThat of an eyoneration for fraud
in elections. But this was false prom.
ise, lie to begin with, Bourbon device
to deceive. The colored people never
did clamor for Office, and as race are
now and always have been in favor of
good and competent men filling the
offices. There was never time since
they have been voters but when the best
white men in the State could not have
been elected'to Office by the help of COL
ored voters if the whites had been wise
and fair. In 1882, when the greatest
frauds that ever had been known were
committed, they we're not committed
against ignorant negroes, but more
especially against native white men. In
respect to the intellectual ability, social
standing and financial worth, the 1nde'
pendent nominees would not suffer by
comparison with the Democratic ticket.
Had it been left to the educational quail
ifcation of the voters the number of
votes for the Independent ticket would
have far surpassed the number of votes
for the Democratic ticket. The vote of
the most intelligent and wealthy man in
the State is not any more secure under
Bourbon management than is the vote OF
the mcst ignorant and penniless negro"
"Do you think the Republicans could
carry the State in 1882"
"They can, and I speak advisedly when
1 say that the Independents throughout
the State think the same. South Carroll.
ma can be carried for the National Repub-
lican ticket next year easier than any
other State in the country. In voting
for Congressman and Presidential elect
ors we can provide against the wholesale
frauds described in the Bourbon methods
of carrying State and county elections.
The United States statutes provide for
the appointment of supervisors from each
party in Congressional elections. Thus
the Independents would have supervisors
to look after their interests at the polls
and assure an honest vote. The Bour.
bons, knowing this, have separated the
State from the Federal election, and have
thus shown that they know they cannot
hold the State in national contest il
the Republicans of the North encourage
the Independents to make campaign
To get down to figures, know that in
that case the vote would stand about as
follows: The whole strength of the
Bourbons does not exceed $4,000 of the
$4,000 white voters, and this is less thar
one.fo fourth of the voting population
There are about 10000 colored voters
at least 100000 of whom can safely bt
c)unted on to 60 with the white Inde
pendeuts. Allowing that 10000 negroe!
and 10000 whites do not vote, from
various causes you see there would be al
opposing vote Of 100000 negroes ant
5000 Independents as against $4,000
Bourbon votes, which would make .
clear majority of $4,000 for the indie
pendents. Such all overwhelming ma
iority cannot be counted out if th'
National Republican party stands by us
The Southern Bourbons dread the North
ern eye as they dread nothing else, ant
if it should become known that the Re
publican party would demand fair pla..
in Federal elections, their attitude woul'
change from that of bulldozing to one G
fear. I have witnessed some of tn
worst outlawry they have ever attempte